CPU: 268 MHz ARM11 MPCore quad-core (one reserved for OS)
Memory: 256 MB (64MB dedicated to the OS), 10 MB VRAM
Storage: 1 GB internal flash memory
Removable storage: Included 4 GB MicroSD (upgradeable)
Sound: Stereo speakers (pseudo-surround), microphone
Camera: Rear-facing stereoscopic VGA camera, front-facing VGA camera
Connectivity: 2.4 GHz 802.11b/g Wi-Fi, NFC, infrared
Power: Lithium-ion battery
Backward compatibility: Nintendo DS/DSi, Nintendo 3DS, Virtual Console
Size/Weight: Chart
ZL and ZR Buttons have been added next to the L and R Buttons, and a new C Stick can be found near the A, B, X and Y Buttons. These new additions could already be found on the Circle Pad Pro accessory for the original Nintendo 3DS (and XL) but are now incorporated into the hardware. This also means that Circle Pad Pro compatible software will also work with the New 3DS and New 3DS XL in the same way they worked with the Circle Pad Pro accessory attached.
Circle Pad Pro compatible software:
- Monster Hunter 3 G
- Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Legacy (Japanese version only)
- Resident Evil: Revelations
- Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D
- Kid Icarus: Uprising
- Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance
- Dynasty Warriors VS
- Nano Assault EX
- One Piece Unlimited World RED
- Samurai Warriors Chronicles 2nd
- Steel Diver: Sub Wars
- Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate
- Super Smash Bros. for 3DS
- The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3D
- Code Name S.T.E.A.M.
It should be noted that the C Stick is not like the circle pad: you won't be able to move it around. It's more comparable to the nub on old laptop keyboards. It's not as practical as a second circle pad, but it works.
Thanks to eye tracking, the 3D effect on the New Nintendo 3DS and New Nintendo 3DS XL won't break - even if you move your head a lot. This not PR talk: it actually works really, really well.
Using the inner camera, the system recognises your face as you move about, and automatically adjusts the angle of the 3D effect. This will work even in the dark, thanks to a IR light built into the camera that activates under dim lighting.
The New 3DS and New 3DS XL have an area on the bottom screen with NFC reading and writing functions built-in, which means you can use amiibo in compatible software without having to use an additional peripheral device.
amiibo compatible software for Nintendo 3DS:
- Super Smash Bros. for 3DS [Features]
- Code Name S.T.E.A.M. [Features]
- Xenoblade Chronicles 3D [Features]
- Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Legacy+ [Features]
- One Piece: Super Grand Battle! X [Features] (Japan only)
The New 3DS and New 3DS XL have a better CPU than previous models, which allows for faster eShop browsing and downloading. Additionally, the entire OS will be snappier, and applications such as Miiverse, but also games, will also start up and close faster than on the original 3DS models.
The new upgraded specs will also be used by at least one game: Xenoblade Chronicles 3D, which is being developed exclusively for the New Nintendo 3DS and won't be playable on previous models.
Other games will not magically receive a performance boost when played on the New Nintendo 3DS, because those games are specifically programmed from the original 3DS hardware.
Possible the most attractive feature of the New Nintendo 3DS are the interchangeable Cover Plates (faceplates) which are exclusive to the smaller New 3DS model (and thus, Europe and Japan).
You can customize the look of your New 3DS to your own liking by mixing and matching different Cover Plates which are sold separately. So far 60 different Cover Plate sets have released or are announced, of which 58 are available in Japan. Europe will receive a selection of 13 Cover Plates out of those 58, as well as two exclusive Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate Cover Plates that have not been announced for Japan yet, making a total of 15 different Cover Plate sets available at European launch. For more details on which Cover Plates are being released in Europe, please refer to the post below which focuses on the European launch.
By now it's generally known that the New 3DS uses a microSD card instead of a SD card, and that you need a screwdriver to get to it. This might come as an annoyance to many people who frequently pull screenshots from their SD cards or often make backups of their save files on their pc.
But what might be lesser known is that the New Nintendo 3DS comes preinstalled with a new feature that allows you to manage the data on your microSD card by connecting it to your PC using wireless LAN.
This feature is confirmed to work with Windows 7 and Windows 8.1, it does not work on Mac.
The New 3DS has an improved camera, allowing you to take better pictures under dim lighting conditions.
An automatic brightness adjustment setting has been added. If switched on, the brightness of your screen will be automatically changed depending on your current lighting conditions.
This feature does not work very well and you might want to disable if you notice that your brightness keeps needlessly adjusting itself (it is switched on from the start).
Because of its more powerful CPU, it is now possible that some newly developed games will only be compatible with the New Nintendo 3DS and New Nintendo 3DS XL. So far, only one of those games has been announced: Xenoblade Chronicles 3D, a port of the brilliant Wii RPG. The game releases on April 10th in America, and on April 2nd in Europe and Japan.
It is unknown whether there will be more New 3DS exclusive games in the future. However, there is no immediate need to start panicking that the next Pokémon or Zelda will only work on the New 3DS, as that wouldn't be a smart business decision for Nintendo.
Unfortunately, data stored on your Nintendo 3DS or 2DS is tied to your system and not your account, meaning that you can't just log in on a new system and have access to your downloaded software on that device. You will have to perform a system transfer between your old 3DS (or 2DS) system and your New Nintendo 3DS.
Here is a handy overview of what gets transferred during a system transfer.
Simply start the system transfer on both your source (your old 3DS/2DS) and target system (your New 3DS). Everything is clearly explained during the transfer process, so as long as you follow the instructions, nothing bad will happen.
At some point you will be asked if you are using a SD card or MiniSD card in your source 3DS system. If you are already using a MicroSD via an SD card adapter in your source 3DS system, choose 'No' here. If you chose 'No', the system transfer process will be extremely easy as you will only have to take out the microSD card and put it into your New 3DS system once the transfer is complete. If you chose 'Yes' (because you're using a SD card or MiniSD card in your source 3DS), you will be taken to the next step.
There are three ways you can transfer the data from your SD card to the New 3DS' MicroSD card:
- Wireless Transfer (All Data)
This will take the longest. Nintendo's guidelines says it takes approximately 2 hours to transfer 4GB of content.
- Wireless Transfer (Limited Data)
This will transfer everything except downloaded software. Meaning all games installed on your source 3DS will be deleted on your New 3DS. However they're not completely lost, obviously. You can redownload them from the eShop.
- Copy via PC
This is the quickest way. You'll have to manually move the data from your source system's SD card to your pc, and then copy the contents from your pc to the New 3DS' MicroSD card. You will need a Philips #00 screwdriver to do this.
This might sound extremely scary but there is nothing to worry about. The system transfer explains everything as you go through it, and you'll be asked to confirm your choices multiple times. In short: it's idiot-proof.
There is a big possibility that your situation is more complicated because you are upgrading or even downgrading to a larger or smaller microSD card, or maybe you're buying a New 3DS XL bundle with pre-installed software, and you're afraid that you will lose that game when you do the transfer. Do not fret. I have created a Google Form that will 'calculate' what you have to do. Simply click the banner below, follow the instructions, answer the questions and it will tell you what to do.
If you still can't figure it out, surely there are people here that can help you out so post away. Alternatively, you could see if these other guides can help you:
- Nintendo's Support Article
- Nintendo's Video Guide
- Nintendo's System Transfer Guide (PDF)
- RedmondStache's New 3DS Upgrade Guide
- New 3DS System Transfer Help Thread (NeoGAF)
GameStop is offering $100 for your Nintendo 3DS XL or $75 for your Nintendo 3DS to trade toward the purchase of a New Nintendo 3DS XL, but you might wonder how that will work with you still keeping your content at the end of the deal. This is how they plan to deal with that situation:
- You buy the New Nintendo 3DS XL for $199.99
- You take the system home and do the transfer process
- Return to the store with the receipt of the New 3DS XL and your old system you want to trade-in
- You trade-in your old system for $100 or $75 depending on which system you brought
GENERAL
■ Why isn't the New Nintendo 3DS releasing in North America?
Because NoA.
■ Is a Club Nintendo code included with the New 3DS and New 3DS XL?
No, hardware will no longer have Club Nintendo codes. In Europe software can still be registered until April in Europe so if bought a Majora's Mask or Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate bundle, you will find a code for the game included in the New 3DS XL box.
SYSTEM
■ What firmware does the New Nintendo 3DS ship with?
It comes with Ver. 9.0.0. You have to do a system update to the latest firmware before you can do a system transfer.
■ Is the New 3DS glossy or matte?
The New 3DS is matte, but the New 3DS XL has a glossy finish. You *will* get fingerprints on it. The interior of the New 3DS XL is matte.
■ Will older games run faster or get graphic upgrades when played on the New 3DS?
No.
■ Where is the Wireless Switch on the New 3DS?
It has been removed. That setting has been moved to the Home menu.
■ Are the screens larger on the New 3DS?
Yes, the screens on the New 3DS are slightly larger than those of the original model. The upper screen has been upgraded from 3.5 inches (diagonal) to 3.88 inches, and the lower screen has been upgraded from 3 inches (diagonal) to 3.33 inches. The screens on the New 3DS XL are the same size as the original 3DS XL, however.
■ Has battery life improved?
New 3DS: approximately 3.5 to 6 hours when using Nintendo 3DS software (original range is 3-5 hours).
New 3DS XL: approximately 3.5 to 7 hours when using Nintendo 3DS software (original range is 3.5 to 6.5 hours).
■ Has the self scratching issue been resolved?
Some will disagree, but the consensus is that it was solved. There are now little nubs on the top screen that will stop the screens from touching when closed. As long as you don't slam the system shut, or have it squeezed in your pocket, nothing can happen. Proof.
■ Have the speakers been improved?
Yes, the speakers are much louder.
■ Does the upper screen still wobble?
The hinge is still a little loose, so if you shake the system the upper screen will wobble a bit, but this is to prevent the hinges from getting damaged.
■ What kind of screw driver do I need?
It's a Philips #00. Obviously you can also use one from another brand, but you'll have to check for the correct size yourself.
ACCESSORIES
■ What is the microSD card size limit?
Officially, the New 3DS supports microSD cards up to 32GB. However, you can use larger cards, as long as you format them to FAT32 before using them in your New 3DS.
■ Can I use my old charging cradle?
No, almost all ports have been moved so it simply wouldn't fit. Your old charging cable does work on all New 3DS models.
■ Can I use my old 3DS case?
The New 3DS XL has almost exactly the same dimension as the old 3DS XL, so if you have a case for that you can probably keep using it. The New 3DS is a tad bigger than the old 3DS so unless you have a very loose pouch, it likely won't fit.
■ Is the Circle Pad Pro compatible with the New 3DS?
No, the ports are in different places so it won't fit. However, the New 3DS's C Stick and ZL/ZR buttons mimic those of the Circle Pad Pro.
■ Will more Cover Plates become available later? What about plates released in Japan that haven't been announced for Europe yet?
As of right now, there haven't been any new announcements.
■ I heard there were special cover plates. Which are those?
As of right now, #012 is made from felt, #050 is glow in the dark and #024 has a wood texture.
■ Do cover plates come with a matching theme code?
No, unfortunately they don't.
REGION
■ Is the New 3DS still region locked?
Yep, unfortunately so.
■ Does RegionThree work on the New 3DS?
Nope.
■ How about Charging Cradles, are those region free?
Yes, if you want you can order a Pink or Mint colored New 3DS cradle from Japan and it will work (obviously you still need to use a charging cable from your own region).
■ They didn't region lock Cover Plates too, right?!
Nope, feel free to import those Japan exclusive designs!
TRANSFERS
■ What do I need to do a system transfer?
You need a working internet connection, both your original 3DS and your New 3DS, and if you're doing a transfer via PC, you also need a screwdriver and card reader.
■ Do I need both 3DS systems at the same time?
Yes, the system transfer can only be carried out if both systems are in near proximity and connected to the internet.
■ I'm transferring in a store, can I backup my files to a PC at home, then do the 'Copy via PC' option in store, then when I get back home, put the files on my microSD card?
Possibly, but I'm not sure. During the transfer it might write something to your SD card, making your old backup incompatible with the New 3DS. I would advise doing the "Wireless Transfer (Limited Data)" option in store, as it doesn't take long at all, and will guarantee that your files are save.
■ Can I copy my files over to the microSD and put it in my New 3DS before starting the transfer?
Before the transfer begins it will format your microSD card so, no. Just follow the procedure.
■ I have a microSD in my original 3DS using a microSD to SD adapter. What do I do?
Just do the transfer, when prompted, say you're using a microSD in your 3DS and follow the instructions. You will be able to just take out the microSD out of the adapter and into your New 3DS, making for an incredibly easy transfer.